CNet is reporting that partial service PlayStation Network has been restored, allowing gamers to play online and shop in the PSN Store. Nearly its entire portfolio of online games, game forums and Web sites will go back online but the company will also require players to reset their passwords.
Sony states:
As the result of a criminal cyber-attack on the company’s network, SOE shut down its game services in order for the company to undertake an investigation and incorporate rigorous enhancements to the overall security of the network infrastructure. SOE worked with several outside respected security firms during the course of implementing significant security measures that strengthen safeguards against unauthorized activity and provide customers with greater protection of their personal information.
SOE made enhancements to overall data security as well, including updating and adding advanced security technologies, additional software monitoring, performing new penetration and vulnerability testing, and increased levels of encryption.
“Our main priority is the safety and security of our customers’ personal information,” said Kazuo Hirai, Executive Deputy President, Sony Corporation. “We are making consumer data protection a full-time, company-wide commitment, and have applied enhanced security technologies so that our customers can feel protected and confident about playing our games.”
Hirai added, “We are committed to delivering secure and entertaining games for players of all ages and thank each of our players for their patience and support during this difficult time.”
SOE will also be offering its customers a “Welcome Back” program that includes special game content and services to all registered Station Account holders. As part of this program, players will receive 30 days of additional game time plus one day for each day SOE’s services were down.
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Electronic Arts is (was?) building a first-person-shooter based on the Command and Conquor series and was set to release on PC, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. The original title was originally slated for 2008 and now has been pushed to EA’s fiscal year 2009 or 20010.
Sorry Paul, I just don’t do hate.
Jordan, your description of Rage reminds me of how I felt after finishing Doom 3. Not a bad game, but I wouldn’t pay 60 USD for it.
@Resident Evil 6 on-disc DLC unlocked by modders
Bwa ha ha ha ha :))
Way to go modders! As far as I am concerned, the contents id already free (if you bough the game).
Dan, interesting point there, it could be something to be unlocked.
@World of Warcraft cities laid waste by first level priest
What makes it funny is that Blizzard is now going after the hacker. Jeez, why not invest the time in finding other such bugs and patch those as well? Talk about the wrong way to spend time and energy.
@QOTW: None, unfortunately. I had very little time to play any game in the first half of the year, I doubt I’ll have more in the fall or winter. Heck, I still have Shadowrun to finish, Portal 2, the Penumbra games and so on.
I might pick up a game or two if there’s a sale on Steam – maybe Company of Heroes or Metro 2033, but again, no new game, and with very little chance of playing them these months.
@Cheating AI: Red Alert was also cheating.
And yes, Quake 3 bots were able to accurately figure out the velocity vector of the player in order to lead their rockets (cheating). True. But you could also change your direction after the rocket was shot. And in the mean time, you would have to place your own rockets close enough to frag them. That’s the challenge, beat a cheating computer.
Turns out the Resident Evil 6 DLC is free after all. The next DLC will probably unlock the rest of the copntent on the disc.
@Sony sues Kevin Butler actor for appearing in Wii commercial: In my opinion they are making a big deal over nothing. It’s not like someone was going to buy a PS3 but then decided to buy some tires because there was a chance they could win a Wii. I even read that his exclusivity contract expired a few days before the ad aired.
@QOTW: This fall I only plan to buy Assassin’s Creed III, so that I can save up some money for the Wii U. It is at the top of my list because I know for sure that I will enjoy it, especially now that it’s finally changed to another setting.
P.S. I would love to hear that Doctor Who podcast some time soon. If any of you haven’t seen it, here’s the brilliant unshot scene that would have been perfect in the last episode: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWU6XL9xI4k
@Sony and Kevin Butler
Never heard of the guy. Only seen him once during the E3. They didn’t market him outside US. Fully agree with DynamicJul. Much Ado about Nothing. Sony’s lawyers just want a thicker pay check this Christmas.
@Warcraftopocalyps
I wish I was there. That’s what I love about MMOs. Sometimes stuff like that happens. Before it died, Face of Mankind was like that every day. Something bonkers would happen all the time. To bad that Blizzard will probably find the guys, fine them $1 million and get them imprisoned in Guatanamo.
@AI cheating
I had far to many experiences with this. The eternal bane of shooters was making the AI super accurate. In RTS they would hammer you with endless waves of enemies. Takes out all the fun out of challenging yourself. Left4Dead is a primary example. On expert the AI flaunt all the rules in an attempt to rape you into dust. It’s frustrating but ridiculously satisfying if you succeed.
@Gameboy Micro
Here is the reason why it didn’t sell. The day I went out to buy a Micro I instead ended up buying a pre-owned DS with a game for less cash. And it could play GBA games as well. What was the point releasing a Micro after DS anyway?
o hai, i’m sorry, i could not post last podcast. i always post when i can :3
to begin my feedback i’d like to apologize to Shawn on last podcast’s giveaway on choosing the same game as him (half life). if i had seen that i’d have choosen crash bandicoot 3.
@jonah calling me drunk on 281st podcast
1st: i did not meant “‘real time’ reviews” as in real time real time, it was a way for me to say “more often reviews for games that get patched often”.
AND I ONLY GIVE FEEDBACK WHILE DRUNK SOMETIMES >=] (not now, not then)
@Resident Evil 6 on-disc DLC unlocked by modders:
i bet if were not for the Street fighter X tekken “agreement” that capcom made with the consumers after the on disk DLC was discovered, this would not be a free one.
@QOTW:
idk, i’m saving money to see if medal of honor: warfighter is worth of my hard drive space. and if dishonored is as good as it looks, i’ll buy it on the winter steam sale. what about CoD:BO2 you ask? nope.avi
@QOTW
Just bought the new Pokemon. But I don’t think they count as anything major these days. Getting my mits on Halo 4. That’s my target. Hope 343 industries don’t muck it up. Planning to import a Wii U. Straight from Japan. To play all those Japanese Wii titles I missed. And just try to imagine Assasins Creed 3 in Japanese.